WIFE MATERIAL
Episode 19
Later on, Ikenna went to see Sandra at her shop. Both of them were seated on a sofa in the private corner of the shop and happily discussed. A small fancy tray containing a bottle of beer drink and a glass cup was kept on a stool before Ikenna.
Sandra’s sales girls were busy attending to customers.
“Lest I forget Ike, I need money to restock my shop. I want to buy the latest luxury wear for sale and for my personal use,” Sandra said.
“How much do you need?”
“Five million naira.”
“What?! Why!? It’s too much. You’ve never requested this much before, and that’s because you and I know you have the money.”
“No, babe, have you forgotten that I told you I won’t be travelling out at the moment?”
“Yes, I still remember.”
“I usually get business deals whenever I’m out of the country. Now that I’ve stopped travelling out, I’ve lost some businesses, and I’m currently out of cash.”
“You can continue travelling now.”
“No, not in my condition. I do not want to hurt our baby.”
“Okay, I’ll send the money tomorrow.”
“No, babe, I want it now. Nowadays prices change every minute. Please send it now, let me pay my supplier.”
Ikenna waited for a few minutes before he brought out his phone and transferred the money into her account.
Immediately, Sandra’s phone beeped, indicating a credit alert.
She rushed and hugged him.
Ikenna wasn’t so happy about the money he sent, but he pretended to be delighted when she hugged her.
They continued discussing afterwards.
A few minutes later, Ikenna stood up to leave.
“We shall see you by the weekend, right?” Sandra asked.
“No, I have things to do by the weekend. We shall see some other time.”
“Ok, have a nice day.”
“You too,” Ikenna said and left.
Since Amara had stopped going to work, her colleagues had been calling to find out what was wrong. She would give them different excuses to cover up for her absence.
On one occasion, her closest colleague called her, and she told her that she had gotten another job elsewhere.
Her colleague wasn’t comfortable with what she heard. She went and informed Amara’s line manager about the situation.
Some days later, in the afternoon, Amara was in the living room feeding her baby when the doorbell rang.
She quickly carried her baby to go and check who was at the door.
She opened the door and was shocked to see her line manager.
“Good afternoon, sir.”
“Good afternoon Amara, I can see you are surprised to see me. I decided not to call you before coming.”
“You are welcome, sir. Have a seat.”
“Thank you,” Mr. Fred said and sat down.
“How is your baby,” he continued.
“He’s fine. “
“You said you got a job elsewhere, but obviously you lied. What is the problem.”
Amara was quiet for a while and later opened up.
“You are one of our best staff, and I can’t watch you continue like this. I need to speak to your husband.”
“No, please don’t.”
“This is not the best way to go about this. Some working-class ladies are also nursing mothers.”
“I know. I just want to obey my husband.”
“He’s k! lling your career.”
“I believe he will change his mind one day.”
“I pray that day comes. You mustn’t be at the losing end to be called a good wife. Know when to say no.”
“Okay, I’ve heard you.”
“Whenever you change your mind, let me know.”
“Okay, sir. How is everyone at the office?”
“Everyone is good.”
They conversed for a little while before he left for the office.
Amara was elated by his visitation but had chosen the part of obeying her husband. She also made up her mind not to inform her husband about her manager’s visit.
The following week, Sandra came to see Ikenna at his office. It was during his lunch break, but he decided not to leave his office for lunch that day.
“You said that you have something to tell me.”
“Yes, I want you to rent an apartment for me outside this town.”
“What happened to the one you are living in?”
“Ike, don’t forget that I’m carrying your child. Am I supposed to continue living there after I put to bed?” The house isn’t enough. Think of those who would be visiting after the arrival of our baby.”
“I will think about it.”
“Please, I need some money for my upkeep.”
“But it’s not up to two weeks since I gave you five million naira.”
“The money was for my business besides what I need this time around is just five hundred thousand.”
“I don’t have it.”
“You have the money, don’t forget your promise to provide for all my needs.”
“I can only give you two hundred thousand.”
“Hmm, okay. I’ll manage it.”
Ikenna then sent the money, and she confirmed the alert.
She thanked him and left.
Later that day, Sandra was alone in her house and was soliloquising.
“I can’t continue begging Ikenna for everything, I need to be in charge. He’s misbehaving because of that thing he called wife. I need to put her in her position. Ikenna belongs to me and me alone. As he doesn’t want to send her packing, she will leave that house by herself.”
TO BE CONTINUED…
I am Ayogu Oluchi Eze
